Santa Rosa County commissioners approve boat‑registration fee, graffiti rule change, procurement updates and move forward on capital projects; Navarre facility

The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 25 approved several administrative and policy measures and advanced multiple capital projects.

Key votes and actions

- Vessel registration fee: The board opened a public hearing and approved using the state’s authority to implement an additional boater registration fee. County staff told commissioners the fee would average roughly $15 per vessel in the main category and would “go directly to improving our boat ramps and infrastructure on the waterways.” The change passed without objection.

- Defacing property / graffiti ordinance (Ordinance 98‑01): Commissioners held a public hearing and approved repeal and replacement language that added a property‑owner responsibility to remove graffiti if it is not abated within a stated period. The county attorney described the change as assigning removal responsibility to owners of derelict or absentee‑owned properties. The ordinance passed without objection.

- Procurement manual changes: The board approved updates to the procurement manual that formalize processes for expenditures over $500, add language addressing travel‑rate searches (hotel and airline) and document owner‑direct purchases used on projects. Staff said the changes formalize practices used on recent projects; the motion passed without objection.

- Navarre Beach Multi‑Use Facility and Boardwalk: Commissioners debated the scope of a proposed Navarre Beach facility and parking. Commissioner Raul and others voiced concern about scale…